Pennyflower Bistro and Bar

If I could have written a dream menu- this is it! Something for everyone and executed perfectly! Server was super friendly and had great suggestions! I had the classic wedge and the broth. I also tasted the bisque- all amazing!

I had higher expectations, but may need to give it another try. Came on a Thursday night for dinner to catch up with a friend. This place replaced Spoon and Cellar downtown on the corner of 7th and Broadway, inside the Clair Hotel.The dinner menu is exactly the same as the Lunch menu for apps with the exception of the Bone Marrow and a lot of the Main Entrees are also similar. This was surprising to me and something I noticed and looked at on the site AFTER dining. I was looking forward to some delicious appetizers but what we got felt a bit underwhelming, especially for the price. We both were lot starving so were there to just try a few different things and make sure we had room for dessert as we were both eyeing things on the dessert menu.We decided to start with the Carbonara Croquette and Soft Boiled Egg Toast. We really wanted the Salmon Agua Chile as it sounded different and unique as it was like a salmon ceviche. However, they ran out of it which was a bit disappointing since there was nothing else to replace it and nothing else similar. We also each got a Lobster bisque soup and then my friend got the Exotic Mille Feuille and I got the Creme Brûlée for dessert. The croquettes were my favorite of everything. The lemon Aioli was refreshing with this and the prosciutto made it different than typical arancini. The Toast was so underwhelming. Like eating egg salad sandwich on contra bread. The pickled onions were seldom and not that much flavor as the egg salad over powered it all. The lobster bisque felt too garlicky for me and I wish it has some sort of garnish other than just some green onions. It was missing something special about it. I did like my crème brûlée as it was not too sweet and the custard was amazing. The longest part was waiting for dessert the rest came out super quick as it felt that had that all ready and warmed it up or played it but the desserts are made to order. We didn't try any entrees as I was not that hungry but I did think the pork chops sounded good. I guess I'll have to come back to try that and maybe skip the appetizers. The service was quick and waiter was attentive but a bit too attentive. I felt we would be in the middle of a convo and constantly interrupted. Sometimes I think the overall vibes of the convo at the table and body language needs to be taken into account a bit more. He kept apologizing for interrupting but it became a bit too much as if he really wanted us to order more, but we did start of saying we were thinking just some light bites. He was super friendly and energetic so no complaints there but we could have used a bit less of the check-ins. Will have to keep an eye on the menu to see if anything new peeks my interest to come back if not for the ribs at least and try some of the entrees on a weekday.

In fact, I did not try the food yet. But this should be helpful for people who want to stop by for the breakfast here. I checked on website menu showing only lunch and dinner. Found out that breakfast is buffet and it likes hotel buffet. So if you want to try food from chef Jacob, you should come on Lunch or Dinner.

I'd recommend to everyone! Everything we got was amazing. Diverse menu. Service was great. Rachel waited on us. I really hope word gets out and they survive since there's so many good restaurants downtown. Awesome atmosphere as well. The white cheddar pearl couscous/risotto under the steak was GREAT

The Pennyflower had great service, our waiter was very attentive and kind. The short rib bone marrow dish was delicious we got a second one because the first was so good! Also had 2 great salads, the house salad and Caesar salad. For the main course we had Amish Chicken Pressade and the Grilled Prime New York. Both were delicious! The aesthetic of the restaurant was lovely, but it was slightly noisy, could use a touch of music or something.

We were so excited to try this place, and the main food was phenomenal, but the service was not. It was not busy. It took way too long for them to take our order, we could see the servers basically arguing over who wasn't going to take the table. The 1 non alcoholic drink we ordered took forever to come out. The appetizer came before the drink did. Once all the food came no one ever came to check on us or see how it was. We ended up asking the host to get our dessert. The crème brûlée was not good. We had high hopes for this place and unfortunately were let down. For the price none of these things should have been an issue. Wish we would have gone to Crown right around the corner.